[in the voice of a convalescent]
I never had any business to leave Indiana!
I am sorry, my friend.
[PIKE takes another large forkful of caviar.]
[observing this]
But I thought you did not like the caviar?
It's to take away the taste of the vodka.
[laughing]
I lift my hat to you.
You never worked on a farm in your own country, Doc?
That has been denied me.
I expect so. Talk about things to drink! Harvest-time, and the women folks coming out from the house with a two-gallon jug of ice-cold buttermilk!
[Sets down the glass and whistles softly with delight.]
[HORACE shows increasing signs of annoyance.]
You still enjoy those delights?
Not since I moved up to our county-seat ten years ago and began to practice law. Things don't taste the same in the city.
You do not like your city?
[not with braggadocio, but earnestly, almost [pg 054] pathetically]
Like it? Well, sir, for public buildings and architecture, I wouldn't trade our State insane asylum for the worst-ruined ruin in Europe—not for hygiene and real comfort.
And your people?
The best on earth. Out my way folks are neighbors.
[HORACE snaps his paper sharply.]
But you have no leisure class.
[VASILI is looking keenly at HAWCASTLE and HORACE as he speaks.]
Got a pretty good-sized colored population.
I mean no aristocracy—no great old families such as we have, that go back and back to the Middle Ages.
[genially]
Well, I expect if they go back that far they might just as well set down and stay there. No, sir, the poor in my country don't have to pay taxes for a lot of useless kings and earls and first grooms of the bedchamber and second ladies in waiting, and I don't know what all. If anybody wants our money for nothin' he has to show energy enough to steal it. I wonder a man like you doesn't emigrate.
Bravo!
This fellow is distinctly of the lower orders. We should cut him as completely in the States as here.
I wonder you make this long journey, my friend, instead of to spend your holiday at home.
Holiday! Why, I never had time even to go to Niagara Falls!
[to MARIANO]
Finito!
[Sets his napkin carelessly on table and lights a Russian cigarette.]
What is it he does with his serviette?
[moving his chair back from the table slightly, and folding his napkin]
No, sir, you wouldn't catch me puttin' in any time in these old kingdoms unless I had to.
[loudly, to HAWCASTLE]
Hawcastle, can you tell me how much longer these persons intend to remain here listening to our conversation?
[PIKE half turns to LADY CREECH, innocently puzzled.]
Oh, it isn't that; but it's somewhat annoying not to be allowed to read one's paper in peace.
Quite beastly annoying!
I had a distinct impression that [pg 056] the management had reserved this terrace for our party.
[quietly]
I fear we have disturbed these good people.
[in wonder]
Do you think they're hinting at us?
I fear so.
[gently and with sincere amazement]
Why, we haven't done anything to 'em.
No, my friend.
[smiling]
Well, I guess there ain't any bones broken.
[throws down paper angrily on tea-table]
I can't stand this. I shall go for a stroll.
[rising]
I expect it's about time for me to go and find the two young folks I've come to look after.
You are here for a duty, then?
[with gravity, yet smiling faintly]
I shouldn't be surprised if that was the name for it. Yes, sir, all the way from Indiana.
[ETHEL utters a low cry of fear.]
[HORACE, having secured his hat, is just rising to go, drops back into his chair with a stifled exclamation of dismay.]
[HAWCASTLE lays his paper flat on table. All this instantaneous.][pg 057]
By Jove!
[They all stare at PIKE.]
[continuing]
I expect, prob'ly, Doc, I won't be able to eat with you this evening. You see—
[he pauses, somewhat embarrassed]
—you see, I've come a mighty long ways to look after her, and she, prob'ly—that is, they'll prob'ly want me to have supper with them.
[The latter part of this speech is spoken rather breathlessly, though not rapidly, and almost tremulously, and with a growing smile that is like a confession.]
Do not trouble for me. Your young people, they have a villa?
No; they're right here in this hotel.
I must get away!
[He says this huskily, almost in a whisper, as if to himself. His face is tense with anxiety.]
[with a gesture of dismissal, though graciously]
Seek them. I finish my cigarette.
Guess I better ask.
[HORACE is crossing, meaning to get away through the grove.]
[lifting his voice]
Excuse me, son, ain't you an American?
[More decidedly, to MARIANO.]
Waiter, tell that gentleman I'm speaking to him.
[to HORACE]
M'sieu', that gentleman speak with you.
[agitated and angry]
What gentleman?
[MARIANO bows toward PIKE.]
[at same time genially]
I thought from your looks you must be an American.
[turning haughtily]
Are you speaking to me?
[good-humoredly]
Well, I shouldn't be surprised. Ain't you an American?
I happen to have been born in the States.
[amiably]
Well, that was luck!
[turning as if to go]
Will you kindly excuse me?
Hold on a minute! I'm looking for some Americans here, and I expect you know 'em—boy and girl named Simpson.
Is there any possibility that you mean Granger-Simpson?[pg 059]
[His tone is both alarmed and truculent.]
[much pleased]
No, sir; just plain Simpson. Granger's their middle name. That's for old Jed Granger, grandfather on their ma's side.
[He pronounces "ma" with the broad Hoosier accent—"maw."]
I want to see 'em both, but it's the girl I'm rilly looking for.
[trembling, but speaking even more haughtily]
Will you be good enough to state any possible reason why Miss Granger-Simpson should see you?
[in profound surprise, yet mildly]
Reason—why, yes—I'm her guardian.
[ETHEL lifts her hand to her forehead as if dizzy. MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY puts an arm around her. ETHEL recovers herself and stands rigidly, staring at PIKE.]
[staggered]
What!
[smiling]
Yes, sir, Daniel Voorhees Pike, attorney at law, Kokomo, Indiana.
[HORACE falls back from him in horror.]
[HAWCASTLE, excited but cool, makes [pg 060] a quick, imperative gesture to LADY CREECH, who majestically sweeps up to ETHEL, kisses her on the forehead in lofty pity, and sweeps out.]
[MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY kisses ETHEL compassionately on cheek and follows LADY CREECH off.]
[MARIANO and MICHELE, having cleared the table, exeunt.]
[hoarse with shame, to PIKE; slight pause after PIKE'S last speech.]
I shall ask her if she will consent to an interview.
[at same time, astounded]
"Consent to an interview"? Why, I want to talk to her!
[quickly and earnestly to ETHEL]
This shall make no difference to us, my child. Speak to him at once.
[Exit into the hotel.]
[to HORACE]
Don't you understand? I'm her guardian.
[with a desperate gesture]
I shall never hold up my head again!
[Rushes off.]
[gravely, to PIKE]
When you have finished your affairs, my friend, remember my poor car yonder.
"YES, SIR, DANIEL VOORHEES PIKE, ATTORNEY AT LAW, KOKOMO, INDIANA"
"YES, SIR, DANIEL VOORHEES PIKE, ATTORNEY AT LAW, KOKOMO, INDIANA"
[pg 061][with a melancholy smile]
All right, Doc, I'm kind of confused just now, but I reckon I can still put a plug back in a gear-box.
[at same time]
Then au revoir, my friend.
[Strolls off through the grove.]
[watching him go, thoughtfully]
Yes, sir!
[haughtily, yet with the air of confessing a humiliating truth, her eyes cast down]
I am Miss Granger-Simpson.
[As she speaks he turns and lifts his hand toward her as if suddenly startled. He has not seen her until now. He stands for a moment in silence, looking at her with great tenderness and pride.]
[with both wonder and pathos in his voice]
Why, I knew your pa from the time I was a little boy till he died, and I looked up to him more'n I ever looked up to anybody in my life, but I never thought he'd have a girl like you!
[She turns from him; he takes a short step nearer her.]
He'd 'a' been mighty proud if he could see you now.
[quickly, and with controlled agitation]
Perhaps it will be as well if we avoid personal allusions.[pg 062]
[mildly]
I don't see how that's possible.
[sitting]
Will you please sit down?
Yes, ma'am!
[ETHEL shivers at the "ma'am."]
[He sits in the chair which HORACE has occupied, still holding his hat in his hand.]
[tremulously, her eyes cast down]
As you know, I—I—
[She stops, as if afraid of breaking down; then, turning toward him, cries sharply.]
Oh, are you really my guardian?
[smiling]
Well, I've got the papers in my grip. I expect—
Oh, I KNOW it! It is only that we didn't fancy, we didn't expect—
I expect you thought I'd be considerable older.
Not only that—
[interrupting gently]
I expect you thought I'd neglected you a good deal,
[remorsefully]
and it did LOOK like it—never comin' to see you; but I couldn't hardly manage the time to get away. You see, bein' trustee of your share of the estate, I don't hardly have a fair show at my law practice. But [pg 063] when I got your letter, eleven days ago, I says to myself: "Here, Daniel Voorhees Pike, you old shellback, you've just got to take time. John Simpson trusted you with his property, and he's done more
[his voice rises, but his tone is affectionate and shows deep feeling]
—he's trusted you to look out for her, and now she's come to a kind of jumpin'-off place in her life—she's thinking of gettin' married; and you just pack your grip-sack and hike out over there and stand by her!"
[frigidly]
I quite fail to understand your point of view. Perhaps I had best make it at once clear to you that I am no longer thinking of marrying.
[leaning back in his chair and smiling on her]
Well, Lord-a-Mercy!
I mean I have decided upon it. The ceremony is to take place within a fortnight.
Well, I declare!
We shall dispense with all delays.
[slowly and a little sadly]
Well, I don't know as I could rightly say anything against that. He must be a mighty nice fellow, and you must think a heap of him!
[With a suppressed sigh.]
That's the way it should be.[pg 064]
[He smiles again and leans toward her in a friendly way.]
And you're happy, are you?
[with cold emphasis, sitting very straight in her chair]
Distinctly!
[PIKE'S expression becomes puzzled, he passes his hand over his chin, looks at her keenly. Then his eyes turn to the spot where HORACE stood during their interview, and he starts, as though shocked at a sudden thought.]
It ain't that fellow I was talkin' to yonder?
[indignantly]
That was my brother!
[relieved, but somewhat embarrassed]
Lord-a-Mercy!
[Recovering himself immediately and smiling.]
But, naturally, I wouldn't remember him. He couldn't have been more than twelve years old last time you were home. Of course, I'd 'a' known you—
How? You couldn't have seen me since I was a child.
From your picture. Though now I see—it ain't so much like you.
[very gently]
The last time I saw your father alive he gave me one.
[frowning]
Gave it to you?
Gave it to me to look at.
And you remembered—
[apologetically]
Yes, ma'am!
[incredulously]
Remembered well enough to know me?
Yes, ma'am!
It does not strike me as possible. We may dismiss the subject.
Well, if you'd like to introduce me to your
[laughing feebly and tentatively, hesitates]
—to your—
To my brother?
No, ma'am; I mean to your—to the young man.
To Mr. St. Aubyn? I think it quite unnecessary.
I'm afraid I can't see it just that way
[with an apologetic laugh]
I'll have to have a couple of talks with him—sort of look him over, so to speak. I won't stay around here spoilin' your fun any longer than I can help. Only just for that, and to get a letter I'm expectin' here from England. Don't you be afraid.[pg 066]
I do not see that you need have come at all.
[Her lip begins to tremble.]
We could have been spared this mortification.
[sadly]
You mean I mortify you? Why, I—I can't see how.
In a hundred ways—every way. That common person who is with you—
[gently]
He ain't common. You only think so because he's with me.
[sharply]
Who is he?
He told me his name, but I can't remember it. I call him "Doc."
It doesn't matter! What does matter is that you needn't have come. You could have written your consent.
[mildly]
Not without seeing the young man.
And you could have arranged the settlement in the same way.
[smiling]
Settlement? You seem to have settled it pretty well without me.
You do not understand. An alliance of this sort always entails a certain settlement.
Yes, ma'am—when folks get married they generally settle down considerable.
[impatiently]
Please listen. If you were at all a man of the world, I should not have to explain [pg 067] that in marrying into a noble house I bring my dot, my dowry—
[puzzled]
Money, you mean?
If you choose to put it that way.
You mean you want to put aside something of your own to buy a lot and fix up a place to start housekeeping—
No, no! I mean a settlement upon Mr. St. Aubyn directly.
You mean you want to give it to him?
If that's the only way to make you understand—yes!
[amused]
How much do you want to give him?
[coldly]
A hundred and fifty thousand pounds.
[incredulously]
Seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars!
Precisely that!